A Day For Two

The husband asked to spend the day together since he was off from work and the daughters still had school. No sitter needed -yay! I still had a bunch of errands, so we decided to meet up at 11:00. I took my breakfast in the car and ate while dropping little daughter at school. I went with an egg and cheese on an Arnold Sandwich Thin. Quick and portable...





I got caught up on all my errands and met up with the hub to begin our day for two (well, two and a half - the dog came with us). We decided to go for a hike through some woods near our home. We bundled up and headed out. It was cold. This is a major feat for me; I hate exercising outside when it's below 30! We saw lots of deer, a cardinal and a woodpecker during our hike. It was so quiet in the woods, other than the sound of our dog crashing through the brush! We stopped midway through our hike for a photo...

So did our dog, Rocky...

After a good hour long hike, we were pretty frozen and ready to head home for lunch. The husband had leftover pizza (surprise, surprise) and I had a serving of yesterday's vegetable barley soup with a turkey wrap on the side...

I still felt like eating, so I also had an apple with some PB2...

After lunch, we watched a movie, What happens in Vegas with Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutchner. It was a cute, lighthearted movie. Perfect for our relaxing afternoon.

Then, it was time to pick up the daughters. Back to reality! And back to snacking for me. I had a few cookies and a handful of chocolate covered pretzels. I'm not going to be too worried about it. It is what it is. I don't think I will go off the deep end and back to my old ways. I'm just enjoying the goodies and when January hits, it will be full steam ahead. I spent some time thinking about some positive changes that I have made and that has helped me realize that this recent overindulging is just a blip on the radar screen (as my Mom would say). I have come too far and made too many healthy changes to let these indiscretions take over. So , I will enjoy these treats within reason, try to keep my main meals in check and the key of all keys, CONTINUE TO EXERCISE throughout this holiday time! Hopefully, that will keep the weight gain damage to a minimum.

Well, off to make some kind of dinner. Be back tonight!

Just Cruising

Sorry for the non-food post yesterday, but did you like the Screaming Banshee???!!! My mom sent that to me last year and it cracks me up! I am the Screaming Banshee!! Life was so busy yesterday. I ran errands, wrapped presents, ran more errands, did some returning, cleaned, cooked, planned cookie recipes, organized stuff and wandered aimlessly around a couple stores looking for some last minute gifts (to no avail, so I'll be doing that on Mon., too!). Craziness.

Soooo, let's talk about the food. It's true confession time. When I committed myself to doing this blog, I resolved that I would be completely honest with myself and anyone who reads about my food intake. There is no perfection, no eating on program 100% and always choosing all the healthy and proper food groups , EVERY DAY, ALL DAY. As much as I would like to live that way, it doesn't always happen. But, this is part of the weight loss journey and I suspect, part of the maintenance lifestyle, too. So that being said, I will admit to not tracking yesterday and pretty much going downward at warp speed. I didn't snap pics of my indiscretions, either. I thought maybe that would make the junk I ate not exist, but I'm just playing games with myself. Anyway, I'll take you through a quick run through of the eating debacle. I started off with some cereal and Soy Slender. Note to self: this is Not a good enough breakfast! It did not stick with me at all. I kinda knew it wasn't going to, but I was in a hurry and it was the quickest thing I could wolf down. I was starving an hour later. Not good; this could have been the start of it all. I think I need a bigger breakfast during these holiday, goodies abound days. I came home starving for lunch and decided on PB2 and SF jelly on an Arnold Sandwich Thin, a serving of Kettle Baked Potato Chips and 2 clementines. So far, so good. Later, when the daughters came home is when it went downhill fast. I had a snack of Fiber One Strawberry Yogurt and a Weight Watchers 1 Point Oatmeal Raisin Bar. And some pretzel sticks and more pretzel sticks, and some crackers with hummus and a Kit Kat and a Crunch Bar(stinkin leftover Halloween candy!) and some cheese and who knows what else! That's all I can remember, but there may have been more of those little candy bars involved. I was in an eating trance. Ugh. I finally reeled myself in, back to reality, and decided to get back on track for my next meal - which I should have skipped because I sure wasn't "hungry" anymore! I did "force" myself to eat a healthy dinner. I did take a pic of that...


So, I think I am feeling back in the game today. However, tomorrow is "Cookie Day" at my mom's house. We bake a ton of cookies (and eat them, too). I don't know what my game plan is for tomorrow. Eat, not eat, plan and track Points, don't. I don't know. I think I will play it by ear. I am feeling pressure to still be losing, but I think maybe I should get through this holiday not worrying so much about a loss, and try to make the best choices I can. No pressure, just cruisin. January is right around the corner and then it'll be crunch time!

This morning, I learned from my breakfast yesterday so I had a filling one. I went with 2 Egg, Cheese and Bacon Muffins and a Thomas' Light English Muffin...

Here's hoping it's smooth sailing in the healthy eating department today...

Inspiration

I loved The Biggest Loser Finale last night!! All the contestants looked AMAZING; even Vicki who I could not stand! I am thrilled that Michelle won; she seems like a genuinely good person. She didn't play the game in a nasty way; she just worked hard and did it!! Awesome. They are all so inspiring. It makes me a little veklempt (sniff, sniff).



On to the food. This morning I did not feel like eating the same old stuff, so even though I need to get my rear in gear and out the door, I decided to make some egg muffins. These are inspired by Kath's Smoked Salmon and Parmesan Omelette Muffins which I have made before and are really good. I made a variation of these and came up with Egg, Cheese and Bacon Muffins .
Easy to make; freezer friendly and a great "grab and go" breakfast for 2 Points! I am going to try not to neglect my food groups today, so I had a clementine to go with it...




Hope you feel inspired to eat healthy today! That goes for me, too :)

In The Car

I have been in the car off and on all day. It's been crazy! I think I have been in one spot maybe a combined total of 2 hours for the whole day. It was getting close to dinner and I was getting a little hungry, but dinner was going to be later because of running the daughters to activities. I decided to eat a snack anyway that way I wouldn't be too ravenous at dinner. I had some pretzel sticks and 1 oz. Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese...





Dinner had to be quick and simple tonight. It was just little daughter and me; big daughter and the husband were at a PIZZA party. Little daughter wanted breakfast for dinner so, I decided on the same. For me, I made a three egg white omelette with a handful of baby spinach, sauteed mushrooms and 1 oz. goat cheese. I also had a Western Alternative Bagel with 1/2 tbsp. light butter. Satisfying 5 Point dinner...

I had plenty of Points left for a big dessert. Instead of going for something too crazy(like Halloween candy- yes, we still have some!!) and potentially dangerous, I decided to apply what I learned in my meeting today about choosing healthy, filling foods. I made a Banana Strawberry Trifle using 1 slice Whole Grain Banana Bread, sliced banana, Fiber One Strawberry Yogurt and a bit of Cool Whip Free...

Well, it sure was filling and I guess it should be for 5 Points! I am really full. Hey, maybe those Weight Watchers people know what they're talking about after all.... :)

Grind It Out

I have so much crammed into today. I made a list, but I'm not sure I'll get it all done in one day. I'll try my best to grind out as much as I can.

I didn't want to skimp on breakfast this morning. I really wanted a "sit down" kind of breakfast. I decided to make an omelette and light english muffin. I'm sure you've seen these Thomas' Light English Muffins; they have been around for a long time. They taste terrific and are 100 cal. with 8 gr. fiber! They are only 1 Point in the Weight Watchers' world...



My omelette was made with 2 egg whites (I wanted 3, but this was all I had left), a handful of baby spinach and 1 oz. of Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, grated. Delish...

Waving....as I run out the door.....

New Day, New Breakfast

Sleeping went better around here last night; I think I was in a coma! So, today is good. Sun is shining and I was looking forward to playing around with the leftover potato skins from last night. I decided to make them into Egg and Cheese Potato Skins. I took two of the potato skin shells and put them in the toaster oven to recrisp/reheat. Meanwhile, I scrambled 3 egg whites and some diced green pepper in a pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. I split the cooked egg mixture evenly and loaded it into the heated potato skins. I took a slice of 2% cheese, divided it in half and placed a half on each skin. So easy and so good...

A great "grab and go" 3 Point breakfast! My mind is racing with all the different combos to add to these skins! Speaking of racing, out the door I go... :)

Gobble, Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!! What a great holiday that's all about food and giving thanks! I have soooooo many things to be thankful for in my life and I try to give thanks on a daily basis for many of them. Today, I can add that I am thankful for the opportunity to start this blog to help me in my continued journey of weight loss and maintenance. The response I have gotten from family and friends with respect to this blog has been so kind and I hope to reach many more in the "blogosphere" as I continue to do this! Thanks so much everyone!!



So, this is a day that really focuses on food. How appropriate, since I woke up feeling like I could eat my right arm! Not a good sign considering there will be MUCHO opportunity to eat large quantities of food today. But, I'll do the best I can to eat in moderation. Check back later, I hope I don't have to "eat my words", too! Enough chatter, on to the food. I went for a big, bold breakfast this morning. I made a Breakfast Burrito with 3 egg whites, chopped green pepper, a handful of baby spinach, a slice of 2 % cheese and a few tbsp. of salsa all rolled up in a 1 pt. tortilla. Mmmm, mmmm!

( * sorry, the picture is a little blurred-I have been fooling with the settings on my camera in an effort to take a better picture for you. However, since I am technologically inept, this didn't happen! Try, try again...)